121: Chapter 121 Cause and Effect

One month ago.

On the day Wang Yaozu achieved a Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, the golden auspicious clouds had yet to completely disperse, and the sounds of celebration at Lotus Pier were still echoing through the mountains.

Inside the bamboo building at the back mountain, the core figures of the Wang Family had already quietly gathered.

There were no lamps or banquets, only a single lonely lamp reflecting several faces with varying expressions.

"Shouren, you didn't let outsiders report the news of your father's Breakthrough; do you really intend for us to go and wipe out the Ning Family?"

Wang Yaowen spoke first, his tone carrying doubt, yet holding no intention of opposition.

He only needed confirmation—confirmation that this battle was unavoidable, and that the Wang Family was fully prepared to bear the consequences.

Without waiting for Wang Shouren to reply, Wang Yaowu cut in, stomping his foot heavily on the ground and causing the bamboo building's floor to hum.

"Second Brother, what are you hesitating for! Big Nephew is right. Even if the Ning Family isn't as overbearing now, in the past they severely suppressed our businesses, not to mention how many tricks they've pulled behind the scenes and in broad daylight over the years.

Today, Big Brother has broken through to Foundation Establishment, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—we might as well march straight up there, settle the score all at once, and from then on, our Wang Family will be the strongest Cultivation Family in the Three Counties!"

He spoke with excitement, almost low-growling by the end as he imagined how satisfying it would be. He paced back and forth in the hall twice, then added, "I've wanted to chop off that old bastard Ning Shengli's head for a long time."

Wang Yaozu exchanged a glance with Master Chongyang at the head seat, both seeing the same answer in each other's eyes—the Ning Family deserved to be wiped out, and on this point, no one had any objections.

But they also saw the worry in each other's eyes.

Wang Yaozu slowly nodded, then slowly shook his head, and began to speak.

"Shouren, wiping out the Ning Family is not difficult; the difficult part is the upper sect's investigation. Once any clues are exposed, given the rules of the Yue State's cultivation world, the Spirit Sword Sect's disciplinary hall is not to be trifled with. By then, it will be eternal damnation."

The bamboo building grew quiet.

Everyone present was a core member of the Wang Family, and they knew better than anyone just how great the benefits of wiping out the Ning Family would be—the spiritual fields, mineral veins, and market storefronts in Xiaoshan County, along with the Family fortune accumulated by the Ning Family over nearly two hundred years, were enough to elevate the Wang Family's strength to the next level.

Yet the risks were equally apparent. With over three hundred mouths wiped out entirely, once the Spirit Sword Sect found solid evidence, the Wang Family would become the next Tiexue Sect.

Just as everyone fell silent, Wang Shouren suddenly spoke. His voice was not loud, yet it made everyone raise their heads.

Turning his figure toward the door, he raised his voice and said, "Old Yang, please come in."

An old Loose Cultivator with white hair and beard and a hunched figure pushed open the door and entered.

He wore a grayish-white short tunic that had been washed until it was faded. When he walked into the bamboo building filled with the core members of the Wang Family, he was so nervous that he didn't know where to put his hands, but he still respectfully bowed to Master Chongyang and Wang Yaozu.

"This humble Loose Cultivator Old Yang pays respects to Master Chongyang, the Wang Family head, and all Seniors."

Wang Shouren nodded slightly and said, "Old Yang, please repeat what you told me today in front of all the elders."

The Loose Cultivator surnamed Yang bowed again, his voice tight yet trying hard to remain steady.

"It is like this. That brat of mine and a few brothers usually don't do proper work, liking to run and jump around various places in the Three Counties, and they know quite a few friends.

Two days ago, while they were wandering near Xiaoshan County, they saw a group of unfamiliar people sneaking into the Ning Family's territory.

The brats felt something was wrong, so they followed for a short distance and recognized the leader of that group—it was Black Fiend."

"Black Fiend!" Wang Yaowu suddenly turned his head, his voice changing entirely, "Are you sure it's Black Fiend? That bandit leader who kills and plunders near the Monster Mountain Range?"

Old Yang's lips trembled slightly; it was not out of fear, but hatred.

In his turbid eyes surged a fire of vengeance that had been suppressed deep in his heart for who knows how many years.

"Certain! That group doesn't remember small people like us, but my son recognizes them.

This old man's wife died at the hands of Black Fiend and his men. That night, my son saw with his own eyes Black Fiend use that bronze hammer to smash his mother's head.

My son's eyes will not be mistaken, and he will never mistake them for as long as he lives."

Wang Shouren took over the conversation, his voice calm yet resolute.

"I have already sent people to investigate this matter today. What Old Yang said is true; there is indeed a batch of unfamiliar Cultivators entering the Ning Family's territory in batches recently, numbering no less than ten people.

And this group led by Black Fiend has vanished near the Monster Mountain Range since half a month ago, with no traces of them found in any of the markets across the Three Counties.

The timeline matches, and the route matches."

Old Yang looked at Wang Shouren gratefully, his throat choked with emotion as he nodded incessantly.

Wang Shouren motioned that he need not be too polite, and took out a pre-prepared Storage Pouch from his sleeve, his tone softening a bit.

"Old Yang, thank you very much for informing us of today's matter. I have already sent some Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones to your home. Go back and rest first; the Wang Family has its own plans for this matter."

Unexpectedly, Old Yang suddenly went weak at the knees, dropping straight to the ground. The sound of his forehead heavily striking the bamboo planks made all the core members of the Wang Family present fall silent.

"This old man doesn't want those Spirit Stones or Medicinal Pills! This old man only wants to kill Black Fiend to avenge my wife!"

He raised his head, his forehead already bruised and purple, his eyes filled with tears and absolute determination.

"This old man knows this request is excessive, but I have waited for so many years, and it was so hard to finally wait for him to appear in the Three Counties—we cannot let him run away again! As long as I can get revenge, even if this old man has to give up this life!"

Wang Shouren held his shoulders, helping him up from the ground. His voice was gentle yet left no room for negotiation.

"I know. Keep those items; this is the Wang Family's rule. Go down now and properly recuperate your body."

Old Yang wanted to say something more, but Master Chongyang finally spoke.

The old man didn't say much, uttering only a few words. His aged voice carried a solemnity born from having seen through all worldly affairs: "Fellow Daoist, do not let this obsession consume you. This matter rests on this old man's heart."

Only then did Old Yang retreat in tears.

He knew that as an old, feeble Loose Cultivator at the Early Stage of Qi Refining, he had already done all that he could do, and the rest could only be waited for.

The bamboo building grew quiet once again, except this time the atmosphere was completely different from just a moment ago.

Wang Shouren turned around, once again facing all the elders, his tone steady and clear.

"In recent years, the Family has widely befriended Loose Cultivators, and they have become the eyes and ears of our Wang Family. Today's intelligence is thanks to this."

Wang Yaowu was the first to lose his patience, slamming his fist onto the table and causing the teacups to bounce three times.

"What intelligence or no intelligence! What is the Ning Family trying to do? Colluding with Black Fiend and hiring bandits to wipe out the entire Wang Family? Do they think they aren't dying fast enough?!"

Wang Yaozu slowly stood up, placing his hands behind his back, his voice as heavy as a mountain.

"Third Brother, don't you understand yet? We haven't made a move against the Ning Family yet, but the Ning Family has already started making a move against us.

If not for my fortunate Foundation Establishment today, if Black Fiend had joined forces with the Ning Family to attack, Sixth Uncle alone would definitely not have been able to stop them. Furthermore—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the face of every single person present one by one, "Our Tier 2 mountain-guarding formation has not even begun construction yet."

Wang Yaowu's complexion finally changed, a layer of cold sweat seeping from his back and instantly soaking his garments.

It was too perilous.

If not for that Loose Cultivator Old Yang coming to report the news, and if not for the spy network Shouren had laid among the Loose Cultivators transmitting the information back in time, the Wang Family would likely have been ambushed by Black Fiend completely unprepared, and who knows how many members of the Family would have died.

Master Chongyang slowly stood up, his aged voice carrying an unquestionable resolution.

"Just do as Shouren says—make a move! And strike before they do!"